The effective management of water services within the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality

Abstract

The study was conducted within the water sector environment with the aim of investigating Sedibeng Water's capabilities that will ensure improved service delivery in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality (DRRSMDM). Sedibeng Water was appointed as a water service provider within the district and services Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM) on behalf of DRRSMDM and , in line with section 78 of the Municipal System Act, all the water service providers have to assess their capabilities of effective management and delivery of water services. Therefore, ten attributes of effective management of water service practices were presented in this study as key instruments capable of bringing about efficiency in the manner in which Sedibeng Water operates or delivers services. It was found during the literature review that when these attributes are deployed, they will ensure the achievement of operational effectiveness within the water service provider. The empirical study was conducted in Sedibeng Water, North-West region , servicing GTLM on behalf of DRRSMDM. During the background review of the DRRSMDM, several challenges were encountered, including the fact that municipal water consumption per capita is unacceptably high and there is a lack of water demand management and poor water use efficiency across the municipality. The research was qualitative in nature where the relevant clauses that relate to the ten attributes of effectively managed water sector utilities (attributes) were identified in the signed service level agreement (SLA). A template document was designed according to the literature and forwarded to the relevant manager to provide the required information. One-on-one interviews were then conducted with the relevant managers for verification and clarity of information provided. According to the responses received , Sedibeng Water effectively manages water services within the GTLM with an overall compliance of 74.3%. However, the report also highlights on some areas that still need some improvements with the suggested remedial actions and recommendations based on the findings of the empirical research conducted.